EA SPORTS FIFA 23 launched on 30 September 2022 and is the last football game EA published under the FIFA name, because the licensing deal that started in 1993 ended after this release. It introduced HyperMotion2 with roughly 6,000 new animations, a new shot type called the Power Shot, rebuilt free kicks, penalties and corners, and the first playable women's club football in the series through the Barclays Women's Super League and France's Division 1 Arkema. Two facts matter more than any of that if you are looking at it in 2026: EA delisted the game from Steam and every other storefront in September 2023, before EA SPORTS FC 24 had even shipped, and EA switched off the online servers on 30 October 2025. If you already own a copy it still installs and runs, but Ultimate Team, Division Rivals, Pro Clubs, cross-play and every other connected mode are gone for good. What remains is offline Career Mode, offline Kick Off, Volta against the AI and the offline side of the World Cup content, which is still a lot of football with the last officially licensed FIFA badge on the box.
Choosing the right role shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-3-3 Holding | A | Balanced | Power Shot | Yes |
| 4-2-3-1 | A | Balanced | Drag Back | Yes |
| 4-4-2 | A | Balanced | Ball Roll | Yes |
| 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow | A | Balanced | La Croqueta | Yes |
| 5-2-1-2 | A | Balanced | Elastico | Yes |
New player? Start with 4-2-3-1. See our beginner's guide for why.
4-3-3 Holding
4-3-3 Holding is a strong option in EA SPORTS FIFA 23.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Power Shot |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | HyperMotion2 match capture |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Power Shot
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Career Mode to learn 4-3-3 Holding-specific mechanics
- Focus on HyperMotion2 match capture. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Power Shot as your first major upgrade
- See our full 4-3-3 Holding build guide for the optimal gear progression
4-2-3-1
4-2-3-1 is a strong option in EA SPORTS FIFA 23.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Drag Back |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Power Shots |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Drag Back
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Career Mode to learn 4-2-3-1-specific mechanics
- Focus on Power Shots. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Drag Back as your first major upgrade
- See our full 4-2-3-1 build guide for the optimal gear progression
4-4-2
4-4-2 is a strong option in EA SPORTS FIFA 23.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Ball Roll |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Rebuilt set pieces and penalties |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Ball Roll
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Career Mode to learn 4-4-2-specific mechanics
- Focus on Rebuilt set pieces and penalties. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Ball Roll as your first major upgrade
- See our full 4-4-2 build guide for the optimal gear progression
4-1-2-1-2 Narrow
4-1-2-1-2 Narrow is a strong option in EA SPORTS FIFA 23.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | La Croqueta |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Ultimate Team chemistry rework |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with La Croqueta
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Career Mode to learn 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow-specific mechanics
- Focus on Ultimate Team chemistry rework. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize La Croqueta as your first major upgrade
- See our full 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow build guide for the optimal gear progression
5-2-1-2
5-2-1-2 is a strong option in EA SPORTS FIFA 23.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Elastico |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Offline only play since 30 October 2025 |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Elastico
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Career Mode to learn 5-2-1-2-specific mechanics
- Focus on Offline only play since 30 October 2025. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Elastico as your first major upgrade
- See our full 5-2-1-2 build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Role Should You Pick?
For Beginners
4-2-3-1 is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
4-3-3 Holding is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Power Shot for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
5-2-1-2 offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another role.
For Group Play
4-1-2-1-2 Narrow shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Guides
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Overview
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Best Builds
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Tier List
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Walkthrough
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Beginner's Guide
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Tips & Tricks
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Weapons Guide
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Combat Guide
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Boss Guide
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Maps & Locations
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Crafting Guide
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